System and method for managing financial market data with hidden information

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods that manage financial market data with hidden information. The systems and methods may receive market data about a plurality of financial instruments. The plurality of financial instruments comprises at least two different kinds of financial instruments. Hidden information is generated, based on the market data. The hidden information is viewable only after scrolling a cursor over a graphical element. The systems and methods also generate, based on the market data, a first graphical element that is embedded with hidden information. The first graphical element is displayed on a display. An indication is received indicating that the cursor has scrolled over the first graphical element. In response to the indication, the hidden information that is embedded in the first graphical element is displayed on the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/146,663, filed Jun. 7, 2005, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/577,666 filed Jun. 7, 2004, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to financial market information systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing, manipulating, viewing and acting upon financial market information.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, electronic financial market information and trading systems have gained a widespread acceptance. For example, electronic trading systems have been created which facilitate the trading of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, currency, futures, or other suitable financial instruments. Many of these electronic trading systems use a bid/offer process in which bids and offers are submitted to the systems by a passive side. These bids and offers are hit and lifted (or taken) by an aggressive side. For example, a passive trader may submit a “bid” to buy a particular number of thirty-year U.S. Treasury Bonds at a given price. In response to such a bid, an aggressive trader may submit a “hit” in order to indicate a willingness to sell bonds to the first trader at the given price. Alternatively, a passive side trader may submit an “offer” to sell a particular number of the bonds at the given price, and then the aggressive side trader may submit a “lift” (or “take”) in response to the offer to indicate a willingness to buy bonds from the passive side trader at the given price. In such trading systems, the bid, the offer, the hit, and the lift (or take) may be collectively known as “orders.” Thus, when a trader submits a bit, the trader is said to be submitting an order.

In general, financial market information systems typically display various pieces of information related to a particular financial market. The pieces of information are usually displayed in separate windows or screens on a monitor. Comparative information, to the extent it is provided, is offered in one or two dimensions. For example, it is common for financial information systems to display two-dimensional graphs of information relating to the market for a single financial instrument. Further, if a user of the system wishes to conduct electronic trading based on the information, the trading activity is typically initiated in a trading application separate from the application providing the financial market information.

SUMMARY

This invention relates generally to financial market information systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing, manipulating, viewing and acting upon financial market information. Some embodiments relate to systems, software, and/or graphical user interfaces for the display of market information and options that allow a user to make transactions based on that market information.

In at least one embodiment, a system is provided for displaying financial market information. The system includes a computer having a memory to receive and store financial market information. The computer also has a display and a processor operable to process the financial market information and to execute software to generate a graphical depiction of the financial market information on the display. The graphical depiction has a multidimensional representation, in at least three dimensions, of market information for at least two financial instruments. The graphical depiction resides in a single window on the display, and at least a portion of the displayed financial market information is dynamically updated in real-time.

In another embodiment, software is provided, which is executable by a processor and operable to generate a graphical depiction of financial market information on a display. The graphical depiction includes a multidimensional representation, in at least three dimensions, of market information for at least two financial instruments. The graphical depiction resides in a single window on the display, and at least a portion of the displayed financial market information is dynamically updated in real-time.

In another embodiment, software is provided, which is executable by a processor and operable to generate a graphical depiction of financial market information on a display. The graphical depiction includes a three-dimensional representation of market information for at least two financial instruments. The graphical depiction includes a first component of dynamic, real-time market information in one dimension, and a second component of market information in a second dimension. Representations of the at least two financial instruments are arranged along a third dimension.

The invention has several important technical advantages. Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of these advantages. Among other things, certain embodiments of the invention provide real-time information for financial instruments (e.g., fixed income securities) in a manner and presentation such that the viewer of the display receives an integrated and easily-understood view of currently updated prices, yields, transactions types and sizes, bid and offer prices, market direction, prevalence of buying and selling interest, price trends and key security relationships and interrelationships. The viewer is provided with the ability to focus on an aggregate measure and retrieve its specific underlying numeric components. This is accomplished in a single display or window in such a way that the single display may give access to a broad array of information that might otherwise require numerous contiguous display windows. Additional information not previously available is provided in a comprehensive graphical format. This simultaneously facilitates the capability to submit a bid to purchase, offer to sell, or to execute a transaction in, each of the securities. The invention also supports display of raw market information with simultaneous mathematical calculations, sophisticated quantitative analytical studies, and 24-hour worldwide transaction capability. The invention facilitates the presentation of financial market information to a user and enables the user to improve the level and speed of understanding that information as compared with known systems. The invention also increases the efficiency of managing the financial market information, as well as the speed and efficiency of transactional activity relating to the financial instruments associated with the information.

Viewing the real-time characteristics of a group of financial instruments in a comprehensive and interactive visual display permits market participants to understand numerous variable and quantitative market dynamics instantly and with precision, including relationships both within the market for a single one of the financial instruments, relationships between the markets for any two or several of the instruments, and comprehensively for the entire group of instruments. The system enables market participants to more effectively execute transactions in any of the instruments through interaction with the same display that is depicting the market information. In addition to facilitating the reading of the quantitative information, the display format and other tools summarize and characterize key market dynamics, providing a simplified framework for a substantially enhanced comprehension of real-time market characteristics and complexities simultaneously with the ability to execute transactions electronically in the respective instruments.

Certain embodiments provide a user interface that is easier and more efficient to use. Certain embodiments facilitate the rapid selection and retrieval of information by presenting a graphical multidimensional representation of market information for financial instruments in a single window. Certain embodiments provide a graphical user interface that enables users to execute information associated with financial instruments represented by the multidimensional representation. Such embodiments are providing a new input tool. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to the manufacture and/or production of a display or a report, such a display or report having a graphical multidimensional representation of market information for two or more financial instruments. The report is a product that may be a printed document or an electronic document.

In certain embodiments there is provided a graphical depiction that includes a first portion representing completed trading activity and a second portion representing current market conditions, such as potential market activity. By displaying such a graphical depiction in a single window a user is able to simultaneously view both completed and current market conditions. This is achieved without the user taking further action (such as opening further windows). In this way the mental and operational burdens on the user are reduced and the user can act more quickly since he is required to take fewer steps to view the information he requires.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides for the display of a multidimensional representation of market information for at least two financial instruments. By doing so, the current invention provides for a technically more reliable system compared to the prior art. This is because the number of queries that are necessary by a user and the number subsequent replies supplied by the system will be reduced. Since data is provided as a multidimensional representation there is more data available to the user in a single display and there will be less of a need for the user and system to perform further operations to obtain required data or to complete an order. Fewer required operations results in a smaller the risk of a failure or delay in an operation. Such failures or delays may be caused by peaks in data traffic over a network.

An embodiment of the invention provides a default base combination of displays designed to answer all the immediate questions of a user such as current prices, volumes etc. The provision of such a default that predicts a user's questions has a number of technical advantages. The default makes efficient use of the display space available on a GUI (so called display “real-estate”). Since the answers to the most likely questions are made readily available, then there is a reduction in the use of the available telecommunications bandwidth because the user is required to interrogate the system less frequently to obtain the answers he needs.

Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a system for managing financial market information according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of a market presentation and an associated graphical depiction for displaying financial market information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an example of a market presentation and an associated graphical depiction for displaying financial market information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an example of a market presentation and an associated graphical depiction for displaying financial market information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to presenting financial market information to market participants. According to some embodiments, the invention provides, among other things, electronic displays, which seamlessly integrate the combination of raw data, value-added calculated data, real-time analytical values, graphical displays, and transactional capability, permitting the rapid comprehension and related decision making, market action and decision support required by the market participants. A system provides a means to view the most current and best available raw market data, reliable value-added calculations and analytical and statistical measurements within a framework utilizing various visual display techniques to provide a presentation of current market conditions and dynamics for the securities that a trader or other market participant may be interested in either buying, selling, or assigning a price to for purposes of valuing securities currently held in portfolios. In some embodiments, the system further permits the user to execute transactions in such securities directly and instantly by way of interactivity with the display providing the market information.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide, among other thing, a system for providing, to a market participant, a set of information and transaction displays that depict the current price and yield for one or more financial instruments. Preferably, at least two financial instruments may be represented. Financial instruments include any instrument that may be traded. Although certain embodiments described herein refer to securities, the invention is not limited as such. By way of example only, financial instruments may include securities, treasuries, currency, fixed-income assets, or other similar financial instrument or assets that have a value that changes in response to market conditions. A market participant may include a trader, market maker, analyst, investor, or any other user that views the information. The system also depicts the volume of buy and sell orders including individually-aggregated buy and sell orders that compose the gross volume of securities currently available to buy and sell at the highest currently bid price, and lowest currently offered price, respectively described as the best-bid and the best-offer price. Preferably, this information is provided by a secure worldwide real-time electronic transaction network which aggregates active bids and offers for multiple securities and facilitates the display of the most current and frequently updated best-bid and best-offer prices, as well as current transaction prices for such securities.

Brief identifying information for each security identifies that security at each incidence of its location within the display. Preferably, all instances of the information displayed for that security are real-time, simultaneous, and actionable through user interaction with an interactive transaction inquiry, submission, and execution dialogue window.

The aggregated current best-bid and best-offer orders may be referred to, collectively, as the Active Market Stack™ or simply the order stack. The order stack indicates stacked orders to execute at the current active market, or best prices. Orders comprising the order stack are preferably revealed by shading and highlighting layers in multidimensional (preferably three-dimensional) graphical depiction in a window on an electronic display, such is the monitor of a computer. The graphical depiction may be, for example, in the form of vertical bars. Although certain embodiments described herein refer to particular types and configurations of graphical displays, the invention is not so limited. Any suitable type of representation may be utilized to convey the subject financial market information including, without limitation, pie charts, bar charts, graphs, boxes, colors, gray scales, points, curves, lines, or any other geometric, textual, or pictorial representation of information. Further, certain embodiments may provide certain market information in multiple dimensions (e.g., in at least two dimensions), while other embodiments may provide market information in three, four, or more dimensions.

With respect to the referenced vertical bars, the cumulative height reflects the total aggregate size of the layers within the stacks. Similar vertical bars preferably will be arrayed horizontally and may denote the aggregate volume of current buy and sell orders at specific increments below the current best-bid price and above the current best-offer price. This collection may be referred to as a limit order book. Individually and collectively, the horizontally arrayed vertical bars preferably will give an immediate impression of the prevalence of buying and selling interest on a real-time, continual basis both at and surrounding the current active market price.

Also provided are captions for each of the vertical bars, and cumulative tags for each horizontal line of vertical bars, indicating the real-time data. Current market prices, transaction prices, yields and volumes, and underlying prices at each increment of the limit order book are preferably provided so that all visually presented market characteristics are clearly labeled and numerically defined.

Also provided in horizontal alignment are charts denoting the price histories for a given time period (preferably for a trading day) so as to provide a continually-updated context for current market levels, and a visual display indicating price direction for a predetermined number of transactions in each financial instrument. The charts and the trade direction histories, in one embodiment, are presented in a terrace-step format so as to clearly separate the information for each security, whether separated by sector or maturity.

The interactive visual displays presenting specific security information are further surrounded by tabular and graphical display summaries of execution prices, calculated yields, high and low transaction prices including their times and associated yields, and a real-time updated display of the yield curve in graphical form and superimposed on prior days' histories.

A default base combination of these displays is designed to answer all immediate questions of the market participant as to current prices, volumes, prevalence of buying or selling interest, context within a given time period, current price direction within each maturity and across all securities as a group, price direction and a sense of coming short-term market direction. In addition, each visual display element is further constituted as an aggregate container for underlying values that can be retrieved by scrolling a cursor over the respective element. As this is done, the respective element's individual characteristics, whether components or a summary of its current state, can be viewed as the information is dynamically updated.

In addition, individual displays for each security component of the display are available to permit the market participant to focus on the dynamics of the particular security or maturity sector. In these subordinate individual security displays, visual elements are preferably similarly highlighted to reveal their underlying components either in detailed numeric or status-summary form.

Preferably, any element of the display can be enlarged to highlight the element in greater detail. Also, the entire display can be rotated to permit optimal viewing of the multidimensional elements. At any time, the rotated and enlarged displays can be toggled back to their original default position.

Clicking on any portion of the price, yield or volume listed for a given security preferably will open a transaction window permitting the trader or other qualified user to submit a bid to purchase, or an offer to sell, that security, or to execute a transaction in the security by accepting one of the existing bids or offers, or through the electronic matching of the bid or offer submitted by the trader to the fixed income transaction network with the bid to purchase or offer to sell of another trader or other authorized and qualified user of the financial transaction platform.

Also provided are security and authorization tools necessary to acquire and maintain access to associated secure subscription services, financial credit management services, and transaction management services.

An example embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a block diagram illustrating a market information management system 100 including one or more displays 116. At a high level, system 100 is preferably provided as a client/server environment comprising at least one client 102, a server 104, and one or more data providers 106. Although this configuration is provided as an example, any suitable electronic configuration that performs the desired functionality may be utilized. In general, system 100 comprises a system for providing a market participant using client 102 with the ability to view a graphical depiction of financial market information 118 for one or more financial instruments. Preferably, the graphical depiction is provided and viewable in a single window of display 116. The market information 118 may be received from a data provider 106 and stored in a central repository 110 on server 104.

For example, system 100 may comprise a market system that compiles U.S. Treasury benchmark and non-benchmark instrument data, automatically presents the compiled instrument data to a trader via display 116, and dynamically processes any appropriate changes in market information 118. The term “automatically,” as used herein, generally means that the appropriate processing is substantially performed by at least part of system 100. It should be understood that “automatically” further contemplates any suitable user interaction with system 100 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The term “dynamically,” as used herein, generally means that certain processing is determined, at least in part, at run-time based on one or more variables.

Server 104 comprises any computer including a central repository 110 and communicably connected to at least one client 102 and/or one data provider 106. For example, server 104 may be a general-purpose personal computer (PC), a Macintosh, a workstation, a Unix-based computer, a server computer, or any other suitable device. FIG. 1 only provides one example of computers that may be used. For example, although FIG. 1 illustrates one server 104, system 100 can be implemented using computers other than servers, as well as a server pool. The present disclosure contemplates computers other than general purpose computers as well as computers without conventional operating systems. As used herein, the term “computer” is intended to encompass a personal computer, workstation, network computer, or any other suitable processing device. Computer server 104 may be adapted to execute any operating system including UNIX, Windows, or any other suitable operating system so long as server 104 remains communicably connected to client 102. According to one embodiment, server 104 may be a remote web server. In short, server 104 may comprise any computer with software and/or hardware in any combination suitable to present client 102 with market information.

Central repository 110 includes a variety of market information 118 from one or more data providers 106. Central repository 110 comprises any physical or logical description of data storage operable to be defined, processed, or retrieved by externally-implemented code. For example, central repository 110 may comprise one or more extensible Markup Language (XML) tables or documents. In another example, central repository 110 may comprise a relational database described in terms of SQL statements or scripts, flat files, Btrieve files, or comma-separated-value (CSV) files. Central repository 110 may comprise a plurality of tables stored on one server 104 or across a plurality of servers 104. Moreover, central repository 110 may be local or remote without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In short, central repository 110 is any data storage comprising at least a subset of market data 118 that is communicably connected to at least one client 102.

Additionally, the present invention contemplates any suitable configuration for the storage of market information. For example, although FIG. 1 depicts a central repository 110, market information 118 may be stored at any suitable location, such as on client 102.

Each client 102 is preferably a trading workstation or device operable to present a market participant with display 116 via a graphical user interface (GUI). At a high level, illustrated client 102 includes GUI 112, memory 120 and processor 125 and comprises an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process and store any appropriate data associated with system 100. It will be understood that there may be any number of clients 102 coupled to server 104, as illustrated by client 102 a and client 102 b. Further, “client 102” and “user of client 102” may be used interchangeably without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, client 102 is intended to encompass a personal computer, workstation, network computer, kiosk, wireless data port, personal data assistant (PDA), one or more processors within these or other devices, or any other suitable processing device. For example, client 102 may comprise a computer that includes an input device, such as a keypad, touch screen, mouse, or other device that can accept information, and an output device that conveys information associated with the operation of server 104 or clients 102, including digital data, visual information, or display 116. Moreover, client 102 may comprise a keyboard customized to match display 116, with each key mapped to a particular component, view, or functionality of display 116. Both the input device and output device may include fixed or removable storage media such as a magnetic computer disk, CD-ROM, or other suitable media to both receive input from and provide output to users of clients 102 through the display 116 by way of, for example, the GUI

The GUI may comprise a graphical user interface operable to allow the user of client 102 to interface with system 100 to receive one or more sets of market information from data provider 106. Generally, the GUI provides the user of client 102 with an efficient and user-friendly presentation of data provided by system 100. The GUI may comprise a plurality of frames or views having interactive fields, pull-down lists, and buttons operated by the user. In one embodiment, the GUI presents, in a single window, a graphical depiction of the various market information 118 and receives commands from the user of client 102 via one of the input devices. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2A, and as will be described below in great detail, according to certain embodiments, display 116 includes a graphical depiction of a series of limit order books and completed trading information for a plurality of financial instruments.

Display 116 may also be associated with a configuration file, module, or dynamic link library (DLL) operable to store various dynamically configurable or selectable options and parameters. This configuration component may be a distributed file that is managed by an administrator or manager, thereby providing centralized and consistent configuration for a plurality of market participants. It will be understood that “administrator” as used herein is any user with permissions or rights to dynamically configure options for display 116. In other words, each market participant may also be an administrator without departing from the scope of this disclosure. These parameters may be configured during run-time to allow for swift responses to changing trading, regulatory, or other industry conditions. In short, display 116 contemplates any graphical user interface, such as a generic web browser, that processes information in system 100 and efficiently presents the information to the user. Server 104 can accept data from client 102 via the web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and return the appropriate HTML or XML responses using network 108.

Network 108 facilitates wireless or wireline communication between computer server 104 and any other computer. Network 108 may communicate, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, and other suitable information between network addresses. Network 108 may include one or more local area networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the global computer network known as the Internet, and/or any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. Client 102 includes interface 112 for communicating with other computer systems, such as server 104, over network 108 in a client-server or other distributed environment. In certain embodiments, client 102 receives market information 118 from network 108 for storage in memory 120. Generally, interface 112 comprises logic encoded in software and/or hardware in a suitable combination and operable to communicate with network 108 via link 114. More specifically, interface 112 may comprise software supporting one or more communications protocols associated with communications network 108 or hardware operable to communicate physical signals.

Memory 120 may include any memory or database module and may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. In the illustrated embodiment, memory 120 includes at least a market information management application 130, local market data 132, and a transaction application 134, but may also include any other appropriate applications and data, such as a configuration file for use by display 116 and application 130 and 134.

Applications 130 and 134 may include any hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof operable to receive and process market information 118, present it to market participants through display 116, and enable users to execute transactions associated with the financial instruments represented by the information presented on display 116. When loading or configuring display 116, application 130, for example, may first process the configuration file, whether local or remote, to determine the initial or default parameters of the graphical depiction(s) presented on display 116. Further, application 130 may receive and process requests from the market participant using client 102 via display 116. Trade application 130 may deny, ignore, or communicate an error in response to certain requests based on the configuration file. It will be understood that while applications 130 and 134 are illustrated as single multi-tasked modules, the features and functionality performed by these applications may be performed by multiple modules such as, for example, a data retrieval module and a presentation engine. Moreover, applications 130 and 134 may comprise a child or sub-module of another software module without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In short, application 130 and 134 comprises one or more software modules operable to provide any appropriate processing for presenting, manipulating, and acting upon market information 118 as described herein.

Local market data 132 stores one or more subsets of remote market data 118, such as benchmark and non-benchmark instruments. Local market data 132 may receive a copy of market data 118 through interface 112 or from another process running on client 102 as appropriate. As appropriate, local market data 132 may automatically, dynamically, or manually retrieve or receive market data 118 from central repository 110 at any appropriate time. For example, management application 130 may automatically retrieve a copy of market data 118 in central repository 110 upon initial execution. Further, local market data 132 may be of any suitable format including XML documents, flat files, comma-separated-value (CSV) files, SQL tables, relational database tables, and any other format operable to store at least one subset of market data 118. It will be understood that local market data 132 may be in a format different from the data in central repository 110 or communicated market data 118 so long as it is compatible with display 116 and may be processed by applications 130 and 134.

Display 116 includes a window or windows, as appropriate, to present market information to the user. In one embodiment, market information is presented to the user in a graphical depiction displayed in a single window. In another embodiment, a user may execute transactions in the depicted financial instruments by interacting with elements or objects displayed in the same window as the market information, including interaction with components of the graphical depiction of the information. However, the invention is not so limited and contemplates the use of multiple windows for displaying market information and/or executing transactions corresponding to, or based on, the information.

Client 102 also includes processor 125. Processor 125 executes instructions and manipulates data to perform the operations of client 102 such as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Although FIG. 1 illustrates a single processor 125 in client 102, multiple processors 125 may be used according to particular needs, and reference to processor 125 is meant to include multiple processors 125 where applicable. In certain embodiments, processor 125 executes one or more processes associated with applications 130 and 134 to present market data 118 communicated from central repository 110 via data providers 106 and to enable a user to conduct transactions in the financial instruments represented by the market data 118.

Data provider 106 typically comprises a third party web server or an enterprise agent residing on a machine operable to communicate at least a portion of market data 118 for storage in central repository 110. It will be understood that data provider 106 may be remote or local. Further, data provider 106 may represent a separate process running on server 104 or client 102 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Generally, data provider 106 is any hardware, software, or logic operable to provide system 100 with at least a subset of any appropriate market data 118. System 100 may comprise any number of data providers 106, as illustrated by data providers 106 a and 106 b. For example, a plurality of data providers 106 may be communicably daisy-chained off a master provider 106. Master data provider 106 may compile and verify substantially all of market data 118 and communicate the compiled market data 118 to server 104 upon request or at a scheduled time.

In one aspect of operation, applications 130 and 134 are executed and initialized either automatically, such as when client 102 is powered up, or in response to a command from the user. Application 130 and 134 may determines a default configuration and layout for display 116, retrieves the appropriate market data for the benchmark and non-benchmark instruments from central repository 110 and/or local market data 132, and generates the graphical depiction(s) presented in display 116 based on the default configuration and retrieved data. Application 130 and 134 processes the information presented in display 116 and/or the actions initiated by the user as appropriate.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, and by way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention provides a market information presentation 200 to a user of client 102. Components of presentation 200 are preferably displayed in a single window on display 116. However, components of presentation 200 may be displayed in multiple windows and/or on multiple displays without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

More specifically, market presentation 200 preferably includes a graphical depiction 201, which comprises a first portion 210 and a second portion 220. First portion 210 represents information regarding completed transactions, bids, offers, or any other activity in connection with the market(s) represented. As shown in FIG. 2, first portion 210 represents intraday trading activity. Second portion 220 represents current market conditions and potential market activity, such as available trading opportunities. Collectively, first and second portions 210 and 220 present a multidimensional a multidimensional representation of market information for at least two financial instruments. Preferably, the entire graphical depiction 201 resides in (i.e., is viewable in) a single window of an electronic display. Preferably, at least one first and second portions 210 and 220 reside in a single window. More preferably, both first and second portions 210 and 220 are viewable in the single window. Although the single-window display is preferably, the disclosure contemplates any other suitable configuration, such as presenting certain portions of the graphical depiction 200 in multiple, different windows.

First portion 210 includes a multidimensional object representing completed, intraday, trading activity. First portion 210 is presented as a terraced, or stepped, three-dimensional object. Each step 211 represents a different financial instrument. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, there are five steps 211 representing the five different U.S. benchmark treasuries, including 2-Year, 3-Year, 5-Year, 10-Year, and 30-Year treasuries, respectively. It should be noted, as previously described, that the depiction 201 (and, for example, the steps 211), may represent any financial instruments or any other asset or item that may be transacted on an electronic exchange. Each step 211 includes a horizontal section 212 and a vertical section 213. Preferably, the horizontal section 212 is a horizontal plane having dimensions in the x and z directions. Preferably the vertical section 213 is a vertical plane having dimensions in the x and y directions. The various different financial instruments are represented by a progression of steps 211 in the z direction. In other words, the different financial instruments are arranged along the z dimension.

Each horizontal section 212 comprises various information displayed in the form of a graph 214 superimposed on a grid 215. The grid 215 represents transaction price in z direction and time in the z direction. The graph 214 is a depiction of connected data points on the grid over a period of time. The example in FIG. 1 uses a portion of the trading day as the time period. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a time period of from before 9:00 am to slightly after 3:00 pm. Any period of time may be represented, however, including minutes, hours, days, years, etc. Also, multiple time periods may be represented, such as a portion of one day and a portion of another day. More than one graph (not expressly shown) may be included in any given horizontal section 212. Each graph may represent different time periods or any other suitable information, which may be desirable to present to a market participant. It should be noted that the representation of graph 214, or any other two-dimensional graphic, may be made three-dimensional (or with a greater number of dimensions) in order to display even more information (such as size or volume in the case of graph 214).

Each vertical section 213 also represents completed trading information as well. In FIG. 1, each vertical section 213 includes a tick strip 216, which is an indication of price direction for a predetermined number of trades, the price direction for each of the respective trades being represented by an indicator 217. The tick strips shown display price direction for ten trades, but any suitable number of trades may be used. Preferably, the number of trades represented by a tick strip is in the range of from five to fifteen. This provides a market participant with a manageable and useful number of previous price directions from which to draw conclusions about how recent price directions affect the decision to purchase or sell a particular security associated with the tick strip being viewed. More preferably, the number of indicators, or ticks, is in the range of from eight to twelve. The price direction is indicated by the use of different colors for each indicator 217. Although not expressly shown in FIG. 2, the colors may include yellow for “no change,” green for an “upward” price direction, and red for a “downward” price direction. However, any graphical representation may be used. For example, price direction might shown by upward and downward arrows and flat bars for “no change.” As another example, price direction may be indicated by gray-scale as oppose to colors. Alternatively, the price direction information made be represented by textual or numeric information.

Therefore, as shown, a graph 214 represents completed trading information over a first period of time and a tick strip 216 represents completed trading information over a second period of time. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time and is a subset of the first period of time. Also, as discussed, the graph 214 represents price-amount information and the tick strip 216 represents price-direction information. Thus, the graph and tick strips represent different information over different time periods.

Second portion 220 includes a plurality of multidimensional objects representing the entire current market for the five benchmark treasuries. Second portion 220 comprises a plurality of instrument slabs 221. Each slab 221 represents a financial instrument. As shown in FIG. 1, there are five slabs 221 representing the five benchmark treasuries. Preferably, each slab 221 corresponds with a step 211. That is, a step 211 and a corresponding slab 221 both represent the same financial instrument.

Each slab 221 has disposed thereon a series of 3D vertical bars 222. Each of the vertical bars is known as a stack. The stack represents a volume of security orders (either for sale or for purchase) at a given price. A series of stack along a given slab is known as a limit order book for the particular security. Each slab has a center point 223. The stack immediately to one side of center point (e.g., stack 224) represents the best-bid price, or the best price for which users are willing to pay for the security. The stack immediately to other side of center point 223 (e.g., stack 225) represents the best ask price, or the best price for which users are willing to sell the security. The center point may be known, therefore, as the best bid/ask, or BBA point. The pair of stacks straddling the BBA point may be known as the BBA stacks. Preferably, the BBA stacks illustrate additional information in the form of layers. The layers indicate different order volumes in a queue at the best bid/ask prices, respectively. However, any vertical bar 222 may be configured in this manner.

Thus, second portion 220 includes a plurality of slabs 221, each of which comprises a plurality of vertical bars or stacks 222 arranged along a given dimension. In FIG. 2, the stacks 222 for a given slab 221 are arranged along the x dimension. Similar to first portion 210, the various different financial instruments are represented by a progression of slabs 221 in the z direction. In other words, the different financial instruments are arranged along the z dimension. As represented by stacks 222 price information is provided in the x direction and volume information is provided in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the price information for each stack 222 is provided numerically superimposed on the respective slabs 221, below the respective stacks 222.

Market presentation 201 may also include certain collateral information. As shown in FIG. 2, presentation 201 includes yield curve indicator 202, trade status indicators 203, and quote board 204. Yield curve indicator 202 shows yield curve information for the plurality of financial instruments. As shown in FIG. 1, yield curve information is shown for the five benchmark treasuries. Although only one curve is shown, the indicator 202 may show multiple curves representing multiple time periods.

Trade status indicators include trade state indicators 205 and BBA instrument quotes 206. Trade state indicators 205 are displayed when the particular security is in a trade state. The trade state indicator provides information such as price information, volume information, and hit/take information. Hit/take information indicates whether the trade was a hit or take (i.e., a sale at a best-offer price, or purchase at a best-bid price, respectively).

Quote board 204 displays current market quote information. In other words, board 204 displays instrument type information (such as 2Y or 3Y treasury), last price information (including a hit/take indication), price change information, yield information, high price/yield/time information, and low price/yield/time information.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate additional aspects of the graphical depictions contemplated by various embodiments of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is hidden information embedded within the graphical depiction 301. The information is preferably viewable by scrolling a cursor over a certain object to cause a dialog box to be presented. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, scrolling the cursor (not expressly shown) over a stack may cause a box 302 to be displayed. Box 302 contains information such as instrument type, bid price, yield, and volume. The box 302 information is the type of information that would preferably be available for a non best-bid/ask stack. Similar information would be available for the ask stacks (i.e., the stacks representing securities being offered for purchase), except that an ask price would be provided instead of a bid price.

Scrolling the cursor over best-bid/ask stacks produces boxes such as box 303. Box 303 includes information such as instrument type, offer price, yield, aggregate volume, and incremental volumes. The incremental volumes represent the respective volumes of each order within the queue of the stack for a single price. For example, in box 303, the incremental volumes are 10, 8, 5, 5, and 2 respectively. The aggregate volume is the sum of the incremental volumes. For example, in box 303, the aggregate volume is 30. Similar information would be displayed in a box corresponding to a best bid stack, except that the bid price instead of the offer, or ask, would be displayed.

Another example of an information box is box 304, which corresponds to a stack while the instrument is in a trade state. Box 304 displays information such as instrument type, hit/take, price, yield, volume, and price direction. Similar information is displayed in box 305 except the hit/take indication is “take,” because the trade-state stack that corresponds to box 305 is among the offer orders of the respective limit order book as opposed to the bid orders.

It should be noted that hidden information may be provided in varying levels as desired. Multiple layers may be accessed by “drilling down,” for example, to more and more detailed layers. Hidden information may be viewed in any number of configurations such as the illustrated boxes. Other possible configurations include such things as pop-up windows, scroll bars (at the bottom of the screen for example), and audio files. Hidden information, once accessed, may remain on the screen until affirmatively re-hidden, may remain for a predetermined period of time, or may return to a hidden status as the cursor leaves the object associate with the hidden information. The disclosure contemplates any routine by which hidden information is at least initially accessed to be made viewable, and any routine by which the information returns to a hidden state.

In FIG. 4 there is illustrated an example of certain information that may be “broken out” from the base graphical depiction (such as graphical depiction 201 or 301). For example, slab 421 and its associate limit order book have been broken out and displayed in FIG. 4. The market presentation 400 shown in FIG. 4 also includes yield curve 402, quote board 404, instrument quote 406 and trading indicator 412. Indicator 412 corresponds to a top-down view of the horizontal section of one of the steps of the first portion of a graphical depiction (e.g., horizontal section 212).

Any portion of the graphical depiction and collateral information shown in a market presentation may be zoomed, enlarged, broken out, rotated, another otherwise manipulated in order to provide the user with different views of the various pieces of information being illustrated in the respective market presentation.

According to an aspect of certain embodiments, transactions in the financial instruments are enabled. A transaction is accomplished by taking an appropriate step or steps to execute transaction application 134 shown in FIG. 1. The trigger to engage the transaction application can be any suitable trigger, such as clicking on an icon, typing a textual command, pressing a predetermined key or series or combination of keys, and issuing a verbal command to system 100. In at least one embodiment, market presentation or graphical depiction (e.g., market presentation 200 or depiction 201) provide interactive transaction capability. Accordingly, the user may execute a transaction directly from the market presentation display window. This may be accomplished, for example, by scrolling the cursor onto a best-bid/ask stack and clicking a mouse. Then, application 134 presents a transaction dialog box for the user to complete additional information relating to the transaction. A confirmation window would provide the user with the opportunity to confirm the hit or take. According to another aspect, the application 134 and interactive display window cooperate to allow the user to place bid or ask orders.

Although embodiments of the invention and their advantages are described in detail, a person skilled in the art could make various alterations, additions, and omissions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1-44. (canceled)
 45. A method comprising: receiving, from a remote device, market data about a plurality of financial instruments, in which the plurality of financial instruments comprises at least two different kinds of financial instruments; generating, via a processor, hidden information, based on the market data, in which the hidden information is viewable only after scrolling a cursor over a graphical element, in which the processor and the remote device are in communication over a network; generating, via the processor, based on the market data, a first graphical element that is embedded with the hidden information, in which the first graphical element comprises a first type; displaying, via the processor, the first graphical element on a display; receiving, via the processor, an indication that the cursor has scrolled over the first graphical element; and displaying, via the processor, in response to the indication, the hidden information that is embedded in the first graphical element on the display.
 46. The method of claim 45, in which the first type of the first graphical element is a multi-dimensional object that comprises a plurality of steps, in which each step represents a financial instrument.
 47. The method of claim 45 further comprising: generating, based on the market data, a second graphical element that is embedded with the hidden information, in which the second graphical element comprises a second type that differs from the first type; and displaying the second graphical element on the display.
 48. The method of claim 47, in which the second type of the second graphical element is a multi-dimensional object that comprises a plurality of slabs, in which each slab represents a financial instrument.
 49. The method of claim 45, in which the hidden information comprises at least one of: an instrument type; a bid price; a yield; and a volume.
 50. The method of claim 45, in which the act of displaying the hidden information further comprises: causing a box to appear on the display, in which the box contains the hidden information.
 51. The method of claim 45, in which the act of displaying the hidden information further comprises: causing a pop-up window to appear on the display, in which the pop-window contains the hidden information.
 52. The method of claim 45, in which the act of displaying the hidden information further comprises: causing a scroll bar to appear on the display, in which the scroll bar contains the hidden information.
 53. The method of claim 45, in which the act of displaying the hidden information further comprises: causing an audio file to be downloaded, in which the audio file provides the hidden information in a sound format.
 54. The method of claim 45, in which the hidden information appears on the display for a pre-determined period of time.
 55. The method of claim 54, in which the hidden information automatically disappears from the display after the pre-determined period of time has expired.
 56. The method of claim 45 further comprising: receiving an indication to re-hide the hidden information; causing, in response to the indication to re-hide, the hidden information to disappear from the display.
 57. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 45. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 46. 59. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 47. 60. The apparatus of claim 59, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 48. 61. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 49. 62. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 50. 63. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 51. 64. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 52. 65. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 53. 66. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 54. 67. The apparatus of claim 66, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 55. 68. The apparatus of claim 57, in which the memory further stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform the method of claim
 56. 